West of England Premier League
Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Taunton 216-4 beat Shapwick & Polden 215 by 6 wkts

SHAPWICK & Polden remain rooted to the foot of Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset after a damaging defeat at fellow strugglers Taunton on Saturday.

Shapwick chose to bat first upon winning the toss but lost their first two wickets with the score on 24.

James Venkatrao was holding the innings together and reached his half century from 87 balls, but his departure to James Clark for 59 left the visitors 122-5.

Will Mason (41) and Ben Rudge (26) added useful runs down the order before Harry Woolway (18) took Shapwick past 200, the innings coming to a close on 215 with four balls left.

Taunton made a swift start in response with both Charles Clist and Jesse Vertonghen striking early boundaries.

The two first change bowlers made the breakthroughs, Joe Mason dismissing Vertonghen (30) before Ben Rudge had Clist caught by Mason for 20.

Taunton then lost two wickets on 95 but Shapwick couldn’t capitalise as home skipper Hugh Kelly joined forces with Will Abell to take the game away from the bottom side.

Kelly finished unbeaten on 40 with Abell making 68 not out from 69 balls as the hosts crossed the line with 5.2 overs to spare.

Mason (2-26 from 10) was the pick of the Shapwick attack, but the visitors remain bottom after a ninth defeat in 11 league matches this season.

On Saturday, Shapwick & Polden host mid-table Ilminster (12.30pm).